WHO'S THE BEST-SELLER?: The Indian automobile industry is in top gear. The key drivers providing a turbo thrust to the sector are a buoyant economy, higher replacement demand, better market penetration, tough competition leading to better services/products, rising exports, a rise in rural income and easy loans.

The surge in car sales has been phenomenal in recent times. Long gone are the days when all you could get was an Ambassador or a Fiat (Premier). Umpteens of new cars, that suit all budgets, are now available in the country.

From Ambassador to the Maybach, the Indian car industry has come a long way. It is now one of the fastest growing automobile markets in the world. In 2003-04, the domestic passenger car sales zoomed 29 percent to 696,207 units from 541,496 units last year. The cutthroat competition paved the way to innovative marketing tactics and new strategies, benefiting the consumers in a big way.

The success of the industry saw the emergence of new players with many international auto majors turning their attention to India. In the eventual analysis, which carmaker has made the most of it? Which is India's most favourite car?

rediff.com check out the 6 best-selling cars in India on the basis of their latest (May 2004) sales figures.

Text: Adur Pradeep | Design: Rahil Shaikh

Also see: Cars that will make James Bond drool!